At long last, Ted Cruz endorses Donald Trump

WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 (UPI) -- After weeks of debate about whether he would ever let the words escape his mouth, Texas Sen. Ted Cruz finally said them Friday -- "I will vote for Donald Trump."

Well, sort of.

The former GOP presidential contender and bitter Trump rival for their party's nomination wrote the words in a lengthy Facebook post.

"After many months of careful consideration, of prayer and searching my own conscience, I have decided that on Election Day, I will vote for the Republican nominee, Donald Trump," Cruz wrote.

"I've made this decision for two reasons. First, last year, I promised to support the Republican nominee. And I intend to keep my word. Second, even though I have had areas of significant disagreement with our nominee, by any measure Hillary Clinton is wholly unacceptable -- that's why I have always been #NeverHillary."

Sen. Ted Cruz/Facebook

Members of the GOP have questioned for months whether the conservative evangelical politician would ever officially side with the controversial billionaire -- particularly after Trump repeatedly criticized and belittled him during debates and in campaign speeches.

Cruz indicated that what swayed him was Trump's position on the future of the U.S. Supreme Court.

"For some time, I have been seeking greater specificity on this issue, and today the Trump campaign provided that, releasing a very strong list of potential Supreme Court nominees -- including Sen. Mike Lee, who would make an extraordinary justice -- and making an explicit commitment to nominate only from that list," he wrote. "This commitment matters, and it provides a serious reason for voters to choose to support Trump."

Cruz mentioned six reasons for his endorsement of Trump -- including his positions on President Barack Obama's Affordable Care Act, energy, immigration, national security and Internet neutrality.

"These are six vital issues where the candidates' positions present a clear choice for the American people," he stated. "If Clinton wins, we know -- with 100% certainty -- that she would deliver on her left-wing promises, with devastating results for our country.

"My conscience tells me I must do whatever I can to stop that."